Nicolo Barella, a midfielder for Inter Milan, has a number of options for the summer transfer window, with Liverpool reportedly willing to double his salary to sign him.
The recent emergence of the Italy international as one of the top midfielders in the world of football helped Inter to a third-place finish in Serie A and a trip to the Champions League final.
And Premier League clubs are taking notice of his form, with Newcastle United emerging as an unexpected potential suitor for the 26-year-old midfielder.
The Daily Telegraph reported last week that the Geordies are “pushing hard to complete a sensational deal,” and that the Magpies are willing to spend “the majority of their transfer budget” on the Italian and James Maddison of Leicester City.
With a deal that the newspaper called “reachable,” he would become their “highest earner” as Eddie Howe looks to sign marquee players.
Manchester United has also been mentioned as a potential location, with Italian publication Gazetta dello Sport insisting that a move to Old Trafford is seen as ‘far more attractive’ to Barella than Newcastle.
Man Utd and Inter Milan have made “interested phone calls,” with Barella’s agent “inevitably pricked towards the Premier League.”
The Gazetta dello Sport is now reporting that Liverpool, Man United’s archrival, is “at the head of the band” of suitors as Jurgen Klopp seeks to restore his team’s “electricity” on the pitch.
Liverpool is one team that could ‘practically double’ Barella’s pay this summer, but the Merseysiders would need to offer Inter at least €80 million (£69 million) in order to secure a deal.
Inter Milan may begin to be concerned despite Barella’s lack of indications that he wants to leave if “the British interest were to become more pressing” and “if the courtship, especially that of Klopp, has reached his ears,”
And recent comments from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed Liverpool as a team to “keep an eye on” if Barella decides to leave Serie A during the summer transfer window.
Romano said in a video posted to his own YouTube channel: “On Barella, I would also keep an eye on Liverpool because they have always followed the player.
“Let’s see what happens at Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp has always been a huge fan of Barella.”
